This archive report was first published on 24 December 2019.
Kenya Launches Extended Railway's Freight Service, Inland Container Depot ¶
On December 17, 2019, Kenya launched the Nairobi-Naivasha Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) cargo service and an inland container depot, expected to revolutionize transport of bulk cargo to the east Africa nation's hinterland and neighboring countries.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and Chinese State Councilor Wang Yong, the special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping, attended the launch ceremony in Nairobi. The event marked the commencement of freight train services to the Naivasha Inland Container Depot.
"Today, we mark the commencement of the freight train services to the Naivasha Inland Container Depot; thus making an unequivocal statement that we as a people are ready to ascend," said Kenyatta during the launch.
The Nairobi-Naivasha railway is an extension of the Chinese-built modern railway that connects Kenya's coastal port city Mombasa to the capital Nairobi. The Mombasa-Nairobi SGR was launched in 2017.
According to Kenyatta, the commencement of freight transport along the Nairobi-Naivasha SGR corridor will stimulate investments and economic growth in the Kenyan hinterland. He also expressed hope that other economic and commercial ventures will be established along the line, which will trigger the creation of productive employment and reduce poverty and inequality across the country.
Chinese State Councilor Wang Yong congratulated Kenya for the launch of the new freight transport service, saying it marked another milestone in the history of railway construction in Kenya and Africa. He also emphasized the mutual benefits and shared development through China-Africa cooperation, adding that China will adhere to the principles of sincerity, real results, affinity, and good faith in China-Africa cooperation.
James Macharia, Kenyan cabinet secretary for transport and infrastructure, said the commissioning of Nairobi-Naivasha freight service and inland container depot will revolutionize transportation and handling of bulk cargo.
